RIZWAN CHEEMA NAMED CAPTAIN

Rizwan Cheema will lead Canada in the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup Qualification Tournament in UAE.

Rizwan takes over from Jimmy Hansra who stepped down prior to the tour of Sri Lanka in February.

Scheduled to join the team in Dubai, Cheema had been playing in the Bangladesh Premier League as part of the Duronto Rajashahi

He has led Canada before filling in for Ashish Bagai at Canada's succesful run in the 2010 ICC America's Tournament in Bermuda. Canada won that tournament undefeated with Cheema picking up man of the series honours.

On his appointment, Cheema was excited and promised some fire from Canada's team.

"It is an honour to lead my country and I could not be more proud to be chosen. We will be looking to put up a good performance in the upcoming T20 qualifiers and we will show a good fight in every game. Our goal is simple, to get to the T20 Cricket World Cup."

Vimal Hardat, Cricket Canada's Vice President wished Cheema and the entire team the best as they prepared for the tournament.

"Rizwan is one of Canada's veteran players and a strong contributor with the bat and the ball. He's put up some historic peformances in T20's for Canada and we hope that as captain this trend will continue. We wish him and the team the best of luck."

Canada open's the T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, March 13th against the Netherlands.